Welcome to the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support

The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support (Office) is an administrative unit of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.

The Office works in partnership with the community to provide care and protection services to children and young people, and family and community support to meet the needs of the people of Canberra. In addition, the Office is responsible for youth justice services and the monitoring and licensing of children's services.

The Office aims to provide both universal and targeted programs and services at the prevention, early intervention and tertiary levels in a range of settings that support children, young people and families to reach their potential and that contributes to building community capacity. The Office is also committed to the involvement of children and young people in a meaningful way in decision making about their lives.

Concerned about a child?
Reporting Child Abuse, Keeping
Children and Young People Safe

Current News

Draft National Standards for Out of Home Care

The Hon Jenny Macklin MP announced the public release of the draft National Standards for Out of Home Care on 7 July 2010. Under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 which was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in 2009, there is a commitment to ‘develop and introduce ambitious National Standards for Out of Home Care’. Between February and May this year, national consultations were undertaken in all capital cities, and five regional locations, to inform the development of the National Standards.

Out of Home Care Agencies in the ACT will have the opportunity to discuss the Standards with Non Government Peak Bodies and ACT Government staff. The working document describes the proposed Standards and will form the basis of consultation, refinement and prioritisation. State, Territory and Federal Ministers will consider the final National Standards, measures and implementation plans in December 2010. Implementation of the National Standards will commence from July 2011.

The working document can be found at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/families/pubs/Pages/working_doc_dnsfohm.aspx

Should you wish to provide comment or discuss the Standards with staff from the Office for Children Youth and Family Support, please email ocyfs@act.gov.au

Young Canberra Citizen of the Year 2010
21st Anniversary Awards Dinner

Anticipation is building as to who will be named the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year 2010. Minister for Children and Young People, Joy Burch, will announce the winner and those of the minor categories such as Youth Arts Award, Young Environmentalist Award at a celebratory dinner this Friday 16 April to mark the 21st Anniversary of the Awards. The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards are an important demonstration of the inclusiveness of the Canberra community, and aim to highlight significant contributions made by young people aged 12-25 across a wide range of categories.

Minister for Children and Young People, Joy Burch MLA, will be congratulating all the young nominees and will present the winners with a plaque for each category. Supporters, members of the ACT business community who have undertaken sponsorship roles for these expanded 21st Anniversary Awards, key members of youth and community peak bodies, MLAs and government executives will also be part of this celebratory event which is being hosted by the Youth Directorate. During the evening MC Erin Molan from WIN TV will introduce young people in performance, video and Powerpoint presentations and reflections from past Award recipients as well as the Award presentations themselves. The Youth Directorate is looking forward to a very successful night for all concerned.

Children's Policy and Regulation Newsletter

Newsletters for December 2009 and April 2010 are now available.